Reducing image artifact reduction method

Abstract

Often times the glossing process results in an image artifact consisting of locally lighter image a fixed distance from the lead edge as a print is glossed. This artifact is most visible in areas of medium but consistent image. The present invention provides methods for reducing this artifact.

1. A method for minimizing print related artifacts on a printed image comprising:
 a. applying a pigmented ink lay-down onto a receiver to form a pre-fused image; 
 b. determining an image artifact location on the prefused image; 
 c. applying additional pigmented ink to a low density area coincident to the artifact location so that the density will appear uniform after glossing; 
 d. applying transparent toner over the prefused image; and 
 e. fusing said pre-fused image to form a fused print. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising identifying a potential image artifact location, from stored information based on experience. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  further comprising applying the additional pigmented ink approximatelyl 18 mm from the front edge of the receiver. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  further comprising applying the additional pigmented ink approximately 16-20 mm from the front edge of the receiver. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  further comprising gradually increasing the laydown from 16 to 18 mm from the front edge of the receiver and decreasing from 18 to 20 mm from the front edge of the receiver so there is a continuous change in slope. 
     
     
       6. A method for optimizing an image glossing process comprising decreasing the maximum amount of pigmented dry ink laydown in higher density areas surround an image artifact; and gradually increasing the amount of pigmented dry ink laydown in lower density areas of an image artifact resulting in a more uniform combined height of pigmented ink adjacent of the image or artifact in an artifact area before applying a clear ink layer. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the amount of pigmented dry ink laydown in higher density areas of an image artifact area is decreased by 5-10%. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the amount of pigmented dry ink laydown in higher density areas of the image is decreased by 10-25%. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the amount of pigmented dry ink laydown in higher density areas of the image artifact area is decreased to 25-50%. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 6  where an image artifact area comprises the artifact and additional adjacent areas up to 2 mm from the image artifact. 
     
     
       11. A computer readable media for minimizing artifacts on a printed image comprising:
 a. a code segment for reading an original image from which the printed image is to be made and calculating an original density of a color toner lay-down of the original image; 
 b. a code segment for calculating an appropriate artifact area surrounding an artifact based on the characteristics of the color toner lay-down of the original image, a desired level of gloss and a substrate; 
 c. a code segment for applying additional pigmented ink in the artifact area; 
 d. a code segment for applying a transparent toner over the color toner lay-down to achieve the desired level of gloss, and a code segment for fusing an image formed by the color toner lay-down and the transparent toner to form a fused print. 
 
     
     
       12. The computer readable media according to  claim 11 , further comprising a code segment for identifying a front edge of said receiver and applying additional pigmented ink based on the front edge so that it is within 30 mm. 
     
     
       13. The computer readable media according to  claim 12 , further comprising a code segment for gradually increasing and decreasing the laydown within the 30 mm. 
     
     
       14. The computer readable media according to  claim 11  further comprising a code segment for identifying the image artifact as a potential image artifact location from stored information.